You can change your Minecraft username through your Microsoft account settings, and the process takes a few minutes

Your Minecraft username is tied to your Microsoft account, not to Minecraft itself. To change it, you log into your Microsoft account online, go to your profile settings, and update the name there. The change takes effect immediately in the game. You get one free username change; after that, each change costs 600 Minecoins (roughly $6 USD, though prices vary by region).

The process is the same whether you play on Java Edition, Bedrock Edition, or both — they all use the same Microsoft account login. If you play on a console like PlayStation or Nintendo Switch, you change the username through that console's account system instead, not through Microsoft.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and select "Your info" to change your Minecraft username in one place.
  • Your first username change is free; every change after that costs 600 Minecoins.
  • The new username appears in-game right away, but other players may still see your old name briefly if they are already in a world with you.
  • If you play on console, change your username through your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo account instead.
  • You cannot change your username more than once every 30 days.

Steps to change your username on a computer

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account you use for Minecraft. Click "Your info" at the top left of the page.

Look for the section that says "Minecraft profile" or "Gaming" (the exact label varies). You will see your current Minecraft username displayed there. Click "Edit" or "Change" next to it. Type your new username in the box that appears. Usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Click "Save" or "Confirm."

If this is your first change, it will go through immediately at no cost. If you have already used your free change, you will be asked to pay 600 Minecoins before the change is saved. Once you confirm, the new name takes effect right away in the game.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for someone else to claim after a waiting period. Microsoft does not release old usernames immediately — there is typically a delay of 30 days or more before another player can take it. During that time, your account keeps all your progress, skins, and worlds; nothing is lost.

Other players who were in a world with you may still see your old username briefly in their game, especially if they do not restart the game after you change it. Once they reload the world or rejoin, they will see your new name. Your UUID (a permanent identifier behind the scenes) never changes, so the game always knows it is you.

Changing your username on console

If you play Minecraft on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, you do not change your Minecraft username through Microsoft's website. Instead, you change the username for that console's account itself. On Xbox, go to Settings > Account > Personalization > Gamertag. On PlayStation, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Edit Profile. On Nintendo Switch, go to System Settings > Users > Select Your User > Profile > Nickname.

The console username is what appears in Minecraft on that device. If you also play on a computer using the same Microsoft account, your computer version will show the name you set on the Microsoft website, not the console name. The two can be different.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This rule applies whether your change was free or paid. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, the website will show you a countdown timer telling you when you can change it next.

The 30-day timer starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when you first clicked "edit." If you change your mind immediately after changing your username, you cannot undo it or change it back right away — you have to wait the full 30 days.

Troubleshooting: username change is not showing up

If you changed your username but it still shows the old name in the game, restart Minecraft completely. Close the game all the way, then open it again and log in. The new name should appear after you restart.

If the old name persists after a restart, check that you are signed into the correct Microsoft account. Open the Minecraft launcher, look at the account shown in the top right corner, and make sure it matches the account where you made the change. If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, it is easy to change your username on one account but then play on a different one by mistake.

If you see an error message saying the username is unavailable or invalid, the name may already be taken, contain forbidden words, or have characters that are not allowed. Try a different name. Usernames cannot include spaces, and they must be between 3 and 16 characters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my worlds and progress if I change my username?

No. Your worlds, skins, achievements, and all progress stay with your account. Changing your username only changes what other players see when you play with them — it does not affect anything you own in the game.

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. After you change your username, your old name goes into a waiting period (usually 30 days or longer) before it becomes available to others. If it has not been claimed yet, you can change back to it, but you will have to pay 600 Minecoins to do so (unless it is still within your free change window).

What if my username contains a space or special character?

Minecraft usernames cannot include spaces or most special characters. You can use letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_) only. If you try to use anything else, the system will reject it and ask you to try a different name.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your password stays the same. Changing your username does not affect your account security or login credentials. You log in with your email address and password, not with your username.

Can I change my username on mobile?

You can change it through the Microsoft website on a mobile browser, but the steps are the same as on a computer. Open account.microsoft.com in your phone's browser, sign in, go to "Your info," find the Minecraft profile section, and edit your username there.